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communication:internet:esims

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communication:internet:esims [2025/09/27 01:39]
frater_secessus [purchasing an eSIM plan] 		communication:internet:esims [2025/09/30 18:18] (current)
frater_secessus [pro tips] IMEI
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   *    they facilitate transferring the eSIM to a different device   *    they facilitate transferring the eSIM to a different device
  
-You will have to use mail or a store to procure the physical eSIM but after that it will be used over the internet like a regular eSIM module in a phone.+You will have to use mail or a store to procure the physical eSIM but after that it will be used over the internet like a regular eSIM module in a phone.  Physical eSIMs can be bought from: 
 + 
 +  * [[https://amzn.to/4gGPU35|GL-iNet]] (intended for use in compatible GL-iNet routers, about 8 profiles) 
 +  * [[https://amzn.to/48yRNg0|EIOTCLUB]] 9 profile slots. 
 +  * 9esim - [[https://amzn.to/3VDj3Te|v0 card]] holds 15 profiles, [[https://amzn.to/4myy6ID|v3 card]] holds 50 profiles.  
 +  * perhaps better to avoid: [[https://esim.5ber.com/order?language=en-US|5ber]] and   [[https://esim.me/|eSIMme]] which charge extra for normal features like profile downloads and moving eSIM card to new device. 
 + 
  
 The main disadvantage of eSIMs in general is an internet connection is required to get the eSIM profile downloaded. A bit of a Catch-22 if one didn’t plan ahead. For this reason the makers of physical eSIM cards often preload it with just enough data((refillable, albeit expensive)) to get you through the purchase and activation. The main disadvantage of eSIMs in general is an internet connection is required to get the eSIM profile downloaded. A bit of a Catch-22 if one didn’t plan ahead. For this reason the makers of physical eSIM cards often preload it with just enough data((refillable, albeit expensive)) to get you through the purchase and activation.
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   * **profile** - account and technical information about a data plan from the provider. Downloading the profile onto the card is called //installation//.     * **profile** - account and technical information about a data plan from the provider. Downloading the profile onto the card is called //installation//.  
   * **provider** - a company that brokers and sells plans for use with eSIMs.    * **provider** - a company that brokers and sells plans for use with eSIMs. 
 +  * **tethering** - sharing data with other devices, typically by enabling the phone's built-in hotspot.  eSIM plan providers typically allow tethering.  On unlimited plans tethering may be restricted by speed, GB, etc.  Read the details.
   * **throttling** - a limitation on speed you would otherwise experience.  This can be no big deal (the throttle is higher than your normal use), annoying (5 day 5GB plan might only allow 1GB of fast data per day, then throttle thereafter, or a Good Thing (as when you get "free" throttled data after your GB allotment is consumed.     * **throttling** - a limitation on speed you would otherwise experience.  This can be no big deal (the throttle is higher than your normal use), annoying (5 day 5GB plan might only allow 1GB of fast data per day, then throttle thereafter, or a Good Thing (as when you get "free" throttled data after your GB allotment is consumed.  
  
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-You can buy from one company or mix-and-match to find the best fit for a particular use.  +You can buy from one company or mix-and-match to find the best fit for a particular use.  Providers known to work with the GL-iNet ecosystem listed in [[https://forum.gl-inet.com/t/carriers-supported-by-gl-inet-physical-esim/54164|this thread]].
  
-  * popular sellers +  * **popular sellers** 
     * [[https://www.eiotclub.com/|EIOTCLUB]]     * [[https://www.eiotclub.com/|EIOTCLUB]]
     * [[https://www.airalo.com/united-states-esim|Aaralo]] considered very stable but often the most expensive     * [[https://www.airalo.com/united-states-esim|Aaralo]] considered very stable but often the most expensive
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     * [[https://esim.redteago.com/esim-united-states|RedteaGO]]     * [[https://esim.redteago.com/esim-united-states|RedteaGO]]
  
-  * information aggregators - these sites list hundreds or thousands of plans which you can narrow down by various filters.  Their revenue comes from referral links to the listed providers.  +  * **information aggregators** - these sites list hundreds or thousands of plans which you can narrow down by various filters.  Their revenue comes from referral links to the listed providers.  The ''Apply Promo Codes'' changes the displayed pricing to reflect the price you would get //if you use the promo code that is shown//.  It makes comparison easier without doing promo math in your head. 
       * [[https://esimdb.com/usa/|eSIMDB]] - most common site for finding eSIMs from multiple providers.        * [[https://esimdb.com/usa/|eSIMDB]] - most common site for finding eSIMs from multiple providers. 
       * [[https://esimradar.com/esim-usa/|eSIMradar]] - more filters but site functionality can be spotty       * [[https://esimradar.com/esim-usa/|eSIMradar]] - more filters but site functionality can be spotty
       * [[https://www.esim.guru/country/united-states|esim.guru]] - minimal filters available       * [[https://www.esim.guru/country/united-states|esim.guru]] - minimal filters available
-    * [[https://esimmatch.com/countries/usa|eSIMMatch]] +      * [[https://esimmatch.com/countries/usa|eSIMMatch]] 
-    * [[https://mobimatter.com/esim-united-states|MobiMatter]] +      * [[https://mobimatter.com/esim-united-states|MobiMatter]] 
-  * other+ 
 + 
 +  * **other**
     * [[https://unisim.net/|UNISIM]] has a different approach.  There is effectively one plan (PAYGO) and funds are deducted at published rates by country and carrier.  The service selects the cheapest available network.      * [[https://unisim.net/|UNISIM]] has a different approach.  There is effectively one plan (PAYGO) and funds are deducted at published rates by country and carrier.  The service selects the cheapest available network. 
  
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   * to use eSIMs the phone must be **unlocked** (not restricted to one carrier).  Subsidized phones are usually locked for a certain time until the telco has broken even on giving you the phone.   * to use eSIMs the phone must be **unlocked** (not restricted to one carrier).  Subsidized phones are usually locked for a certain time until the telco has broken even on giving you the phone.
 +  * **Roaming** must be turned on for the eSIM to work.  If you have free roaming on your primary carrier then leave roaming enabled on it.  If you don't have free roaming on your primary carrier then turne off roaming and let it fail over to the eSIM.  
   * when buying an eSIM plan from a new vendor, **buy a cheap "test" plan first** (1 day, 300MB for a buck or two).  This will tell you what the purchase, installation, activation, and performance is like.  If you are satisfied then buy the GB/days you really need.    * when buying an eSIM plan from a new vendor, **buy a cheap "test" plan first** (1 day, 300MB for a buck or two).  This will tell you what the purchase, installation, activation, and performance is like.  If you are satisfied then buy the GB/days you really need. 
   * although there is extreme variability in pricing there are some **general patterns in pricing**:   * although there is extreme variability in pricing there are some **general patterns in pricing**:
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     * plans with **multiple country coverage** tends to be more expensive by the GB.  Global plans would be most expensive, then multi-country, then single-country being the cheapest.  So if you will only be in one country focus on single-country plans.      * plans with **multiple country coverage** tends to be more expensive by the GB.  Global plans would be most expensive, then multi-country, then single-country being the cheapest.  So if you will only be in one country focus on single-country plans. 
     * practice [[communication:bandwidth_conservation|bandwidth conservation]] to use less data.  Then you can reduce the amount of GB you buy on your plan.      * practice [[communication:bandwidth_conservation|bandwidth conservation]] to use less data.  Then you can reduce the amount of GB you buy on your plan. 
 +  * physical eSims are effectively unusable with eSim providers that require **an IMEI** for provisioning.((https://www.reddit.com/r/eSIMs/comments/1ntv9lx/9esim_v3_imei/ngxb2bv/))  
  
communication/internet/esims.1758937145.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/09/27 01:39 by frater_secessus

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